WT/MIN(24)/ST/66  
26 February  2024 
(24-1559) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Thirteenth Session  
Abu Dhabi, 26 -29 February 2024  Original: English  
 
STATEMENT BY H.E. MR AHASANUL ISLAM TITU, MP  
HON. STATE MINISTER OF COMMERCE  
BANGLADESH  
We are meeting at the 13th Ministerial Conference at a time when the world is facing multidimensional 
challenges in the form of post pandemic shocks, economic volatility, food insecurity, rising inequality, 
increasing unemployment, climate disaster, all accentuated by ongoing inter national crises. In such 
a situation, strong multilateral cooperation among countries is highly needed. Bangladesh has always 
been a strong supporter of multilateralism and expects the same from the Member states of the 
WTO.  
It is often said that trade is  the most effective engine for economic growth and development. We 
fully subscribe to this view. However, our experience suggests that LDCs, small economies and other 
developing countries face significance difficulties in their endeavours  to integrate with  the process 
of globalization from a position of strength and benefit from the potentials of international trade.  
Regrettably, we are witnessing a resurgence of nationalism, and protectionism worldwide impeding 
collective endeavours  to advance our common interest. Distrust among countries paralyzes progress 
in multilateral cooperation. The multilateral trade system has been no exception. We are yet to 
conclude the negotiations of the Doha Agenda, the development dimensions of which could have 
been an effec tive tool to further integrate developing countries and LDCs into the world trading 
system. This would have ensured that trade can only be free if it is fair.  
We are ready to discuss WTO reform, however, such reforms must strengthen this body to bring 
welfare for all of our Member states. We emphasis that the reform exercise should be inclusive, 
transparent and reaffirm the founding principles of the WTO. More affirmative actions are required 
for the developing countries, particularly for the LDCs includin g those on the track of graduation. 
The WTO dispute settlement system is currently incapacitated leading to an erosion of trust in 
multilateral trade.  
Apart from the negotiating and norm -setting weaknesses, its ability to respond to pressing 
trade-related  challenges of our times is under question. While we are open to improvements in some 
aspects of operations in the dispute settlement system, we want a two -tier fully functional dispute 
settlement system and an immediate restoration of the Appellate Body.  
On the fisheries subsidies regarding over capacity and overfishing (OCOF) negotiation, Bangladesh 
strongly urges for targeting the largest subsidisers that has historical responsibility and contributed 
significantly to OCOF as well as distance water fishi ng. This is also important to bring Common but 
Differentiated Responsibility (CBDR) and polluters pay principle for the marine fisheries damage, 
caused by those subsidi zing Members.  
LDCs, graduated LDCs for at least some years after graduation, and small scale and artisanal 
fisheries must be outside the discipline as they were never part of the problem. It is rather 
disappointing that the TRIPS Council has failed to reach a consensus to extend the MC12 TRIPS 
Waiver to therapeutics and diagnostics. We hope WTO Members should not fail to take necessary 
calls to better prepare for future pandemics.  WT/MIN(24)/ST/66  
 
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  We need clarity on definition and scope of e -commerce. Bangladesh in favour  of e-commerce 
moratorium on a temporary basis. Before further extension of the moratori um for longer time, the 
economic loss of importing Members should be taken into consideration. Decisions on agriculture, 
particularly for food security purposes and a permanent solution to public stockholding , remains a 
major target for all of us.  
In this  connection, we call upon Members to implement the MC12 Declaration on the Emergency 
Response to Food Insecurity and, given the critical necessity of food security in LDCs, to refrain from 
imposing export restrictions on food imports by LDCs for domestic c onsumption. LDCs need an 
environment of predictability and continued support for smooth and sustainable transition.  
We appreciate the General Council decision in October last year regarding unilateral tariff or DFQF 
programmes in the Annex -1 of the LDC gr aduation proposal. However, the Annex -2 is still pending. 
We sincerely hope that Members will make a decision in favour of a transitional arrangement 
regarding LDC -specific provisions for the LDCs after graduation. Special and differential treatment 
was at  the heart of the Marrakesh package of mid -1990s.  
The G -90 proposal on elaboration and operationali zation of S&DTs is a long pending issue. It is 
important to build convergence and make progress on this important topic mandated by Ministers 
in Doha in 2001. We are well -aware the climate crisis and LDCs are the victims of the climate 
vulnerabilities.  
While Members' trade -related measures to protect environment are well  understood, at the same 
time, it is expected that Members' mitigative measures do not serve as disguised barriers to trade, 
especially the trade of LDCs. All countries including LDCs do the ir level best to create employment 
opportunities through trade, with focus on vulnerable segments of the society in particular women 
and climate vulnerables.  
As a graduating LDC we would like to particularly remind all of us that the Doha programme of Action 
adopted at the LDC -5 Summit in March 2023 make a pledge to help the graduating LDCs towards 
smooth and sustainable graduation and support their smooth tran sition plans.  
We believe that MC13 of the WTO could play an important role in realising the commitment of the 
global community.  
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